3/27/2018 – Eleven Weeks Post Total Gastrectomy

I know it’s been a while since I have updated. I’m sure this won’t be the last time there is a large gap in time between updates. Things have been going pretty well, however, for those of you who have done this know, no day is safe.

Blood sugar crash is much scarier. I feel weak and as if I have the flu. I become very slow in thought. I sweat and get hit with intense hunger. I know that I typically need 15g-20g of carbs to recover and the ride will be over in 15-20min. However, I have the sudden appetite for 1,000 calories and 250g of carbs. I have to be very careful I don’t overeat during this time. If I do, I get horrible cramps. It’s a mistake you will not want to make again.

Outside of those, I get reflux from time to time. The remedy for me is gluten-free crackers and a little bit of liquid. Coffee during the day and water during the night. Just be careful not to eat too much. Take small bites and chew like you just had surgery. During reflux, it feels like everything get’s stuck in your esophagus so if you eat too much, it could be a bad mixture. Eating during reflux seems counterintuitive but it has worked every time. So, along with my blood sugar management snacks, I now take some reflux snacks too. I’m basically always taking an entire days worth of snacks with me because I never know what the day will be like.

I had the kids at Wal-Mart the other day while my wife was meeting with a friend. My nearly 3-year old was being very energetic. All the sudden, I felt really tired and weak. I took a second to check how I feel. Yup, I’m sweating. I could feel my blood sugar was low. I suspect, the high sixties or low seventies. I grabbed a Gatorade and started sipping. Before I left the store, I was on my way back to normal. It was a bit crazy though. I forget that I’m in charge of my kids and I have to be prepared for these situations so I can stay coherent and keep the kiddos safe. I never really thought about it before.

I return to work on Monday. To be honest, these 11 weeks have gone by way too fast. I think it will be hard to go back but I feel like this is a step I have to take in order to get back to the new normal. I have lost a total of 33 pounds and it’s not easy to keep weight on.

Last night, my wife and I went out to eat at a restaurant that has a serious Gluten Free (GF) menu. The food and service were great! We were reflecting on this journey and there are parts of it that do not seem real. I can’t believe we did this and I’m thankful that I no longer have Cancer. It was/is a tough journey, but it was worth it. I know others who have had a much more difficult time with recovery. Thus, I’m very thankful. I feel as if God protected us and I certainly did not deserve it.